Portable tank cooler



A ril 25, 1967 F. ZANT PORTABLE TANK COOLER Filed April 5, 1966flrraK/VEF;

United States Patent 3,315,491 PORTABLE TANK COOLER Fred Zant,Inglewood, Calif., assignor to Protective Packaging, Inc., a corporationof California Filed Apr. 5, 1966, Ser. No. 545,199 4 Claims. (Ci. 62338)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLQSURE The illustrative embodiment discloses asomewhat cylindrical tank for containing beverage and incorporating aspigot, which tank is snugly received in an insulating container formedprimarily of cellular plastic for example. The container defines acavity adjacent the tank for receiving solid coolant, e.g. ice. Thecavity-defining portion of the container provides a stand for holdingthe tank horizontal so that accesses to the spigot is convenient througha displaceable transparent slide.

The present invention relates to a portable cooling unit and morespecifically to :a unit for conveniently and easily refrigerating afluid-containing tank, by means of ice or other independent coolingmedium.

The storage and transportation of various liquids, as beverages inpressure vessels has been wide spread practice for many years. However,somewhat recently, improved tank or keg structures have been developedthat are self-contained and self-generating. That is, these tanksdispense liquid under pressure and are independent of any auxiliaryapparatus.

In the transportation and storage of these improved tanks, it isgenerally desirable that they are maintained continuously refrigerated,and of course, they definitely should be refrigerated during periods ofuse. This consideration becomes somewhat of a problem when using thetank in locations where refrigerated storage capacity is limited.Specifically for example, it may be a problem to cool a pressure tankcontaining a beverage over any extended time period while camping,picnicing or occupying a small boat.

For many years, beverage tanks or kegs have been refrigerated during aperiod of use by simply placing them in a bucket or other containerfilled with ice. However, the improved portable pressure tanks asreferred to, are generally cylindrical in form and must rest in ahorizontal position while in use. Of course access must be provided to aspigot which is located in the end of the cylinder. It is therefore aproblem to hold ice or other coolant on the tank or keg whilemaintaining a clean, dry, stable, arrangement.

Various forms of refrigeration packages or containers have beveragetanks or kegs as considered above. one might consider simply placing thekeg on a cake of ice within an insulated container. However, in such anarrangement, as the ice block melts,'space develops within the containerso that the tank can move and shift to damage the container or place thespigot where it is inaccessi-ble.

In an alternative arrangement, if the tank is clamped in position withinthe container, the ice soon melts away from the tank developing aninsulating space between the ice and the tank resulting in ineffectivecooling. To avoid this occurrence, prior structures have provided aspace above the tank in which ice can be placed for continuous contactwith the tank and which space is drained to remove water from themelting ice. However, these arrangements tend to be top heavy and aretherefore rather unstable. Furthermore, effective containment anddraining of water from the ice presents a perpetual prob- Initially,

been previously proposed for use with improved 3,315,491 Patented Apr.25, 1967 ice lem. Still further, these structures are generally ratherexpensive to manufacture, cumbersome to handle and are not particularlyattractive.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved portable structure for containing a rigid tank, which structurealso contains a coolant as ice for example, and which incorporates anarrangement for preserving contact between the ice and the tank, andfurthermore effectively contains water produced from melting ice.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedportable structure for containing a rigid tank while cooling the tank,as with ice, which structure may be economically manufactured, isattractive in appearance, and is stable in use when free standing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedportable structure for containing a beverage keg, which is effective torefrigerate the keg while stably supporting the keg and currentlycontaining ice which continues to be effective throughout the meltingprocess, which structure also effectively contains water as it isproduced from the ice.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a portablestructure that may be easily and conveniently handled, which structureis for containing a rigid tank of pressurized beverage, and whichstructure defines a cavity to snugly hold the tank in a fixed position,and further defines a cavity below the tank for containing ice, thelatter cavity also including means for 'biasing the ice upward intocontinual contact with the tank.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a consideration of the following, taken inconjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the structure incorporating theprinciples of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE1;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;and I FIGURE 5 is a front elevation of the structure of FIGURE 1.

Referring initially to FIGURE 1, there is shown asimuQ contents of thekeg or tank 18 is effectively refrigerated by the ice 2i) and isinsulated by containment in thebarrel 10.

Considering the structure in greater detail, the simu-' lated barrel 10snugly receives the keg or tank 18 and is formed integral with the stand12 in two mating sections.

An upper generally-semi-cylindrical section 24 (FIGURE 2) has aninternal flange 26 extending about its edge,

which flange is matingly received in a groove 28 extending about theedge of lower halfof the barrel 10 and the stand 12. That is,

the lower half of the barrel 10 and the stand 12 comprise the integralsection 30. Thus, when mated, the sections 24 and 30 define asomewhat-cylindrical cavity 32 for snugly containing thegenerally-cylindrical keg or tank 18. Furthermore, the bottom of thecavity 32 opens into a somewhat parallelepiped cavity 34 defined by thelower a lower section 30 simulating the i strength of the unit,

has been found desirable to form the-slide 14 p 1) of transparentdye-cut acetate provided with non-slip grooves insulatingcharacteristics i been molded, they may require 7 to accomplish a snugfit of the serting the slide which is adhesively 7 formed in somewhat ofsection 30, the bottom of which contains the resiliently deformable pad22 carrying ice 20.

The rear end 35 (FIGURE 4) of the barrel and the forward end 36 areprovided by the semi-circular ends of the upper and lower sections 24and 30. The forward end 36 contains a vertically movable slide 14. Theslide 14 is transparent and is received in grooves 38 (FIGURE end 36.

The selection of materials for the structure is quite significant.Specifically, the sections 24 and 30 may be '7 into the cavity 32. Next,the tank 18 (normally cold) is set over the ice and pressed into matingengagement with V 3) to be matingly received in the both halves of themolded of expandable polystyrene which has good insula. 9

tion characteristics, is light in weight, and adequately strong in 'viewof the manner in which'the structure is developed. In forming thesections, the configuration of the barrel 10 (FIGURE 1) is accomplishedby surface molding the annular hoops 39 and 40 and the grooves 42'complish the simulation of barrel staves 44. The sections 24 and 30 maybe molded of expanded material in relatively simple molds andfurthermore, the structure is relatively strong, attractive and veryeffective as a portable refrigeration unit.

The molded form of the unit is relatively strong. This consideration isparticularly true when a rigid keg or tank 18 is contained within thecylindrical cavity 30. During such times, the internal support providedby the tank 18 renders the entire unit relatively rigid. Regarding thesome additional reinforcement is provided to the stand 12 by a layer 46(FIGURE 2) of paper, plastic, or'other material which may be faced 'withthe simulated wood' pattern. The lamination of the layer traversing thelength of the barrel and spaced apart'to at:-

46 over the support stand 12 provides improved rigidity and serves as aprotective'barrier for the stand.

The slide-14 may beformed of various hard surface materials, however,.as indicated, in the disclosed embodiment afltransparent plate isemployed. Specifically, it (FIGURE or serrations 48. The use of a hardsurface materialin the slide 14 accomplishes a smooth slidingrelationship between that member and the grooves 38 (FIGURE 3).Furthermore, the fact that the slide 14 is transparent makes the.

interior of the .unit and the tap 16 visible.

7 Therefore, any leakage from the tap 16 or other difiiculties which canarise can be readily observed so that correctiveaction can be taken.

In the manufacture of the unit as described, the sections '24 and 30 maybe molded of expanded plastic having good 7 as well known in the priorart. Thematerial may .be colored' or tinted to enhance the simulation ofthe barrel 10. After these sectionshave V flange 26 in the groove28,whereby to define the cavity manufacturing operation may withinthecavity 34. prises resiliently-deformable, sponge rubber or plastic,secured to the interior surface 50 of the cavity 34. Such material hasbeen found effective not only toforce the ice 20 up into continualcontact with the exterior lower surface of the tank 18, but also tocontain water from the melting ice avoiding sloshing of the water aboutwithin the cavity 34. However, various other materials and structuresmay also be employed to bias the ice upwardly to air biases the ice -20upwardly In using the structure hereof, the upper section lifted fromthe lower section 30 and ice 20 is placed in the cavity 34. As the iceis placed in position it may be a mound at the center to extend 32 forthe tank 18. The' then be completed by applying the layer 46*adhesivelyto the exterior stand 12,'in-

14 and positioning the mat or pad 22;

In one arragement, the pad 22 comengage the tank." Specifically,forexample, the 'pad 22 may comprise an inflatable pillow to accommodateresilient distortion or compression within the cavvity 34 in whichentrapped 7 into engagement with the tank 18.

24 is a some trimming and fitting tion,

'asolid coolant, comprising: i a rigid tank of somewhat cylindricalconfiguration for I the cylindrical surfaces of the section 30.Thereafter, the

upper section 24 is mated to the lower section 30 and the unit is readyfor transportation or use.

In transporting the unit, it is to be noted that the stand 12'containingthe ice 20 is somewhat weighted by the ice so that the unit does nottend tobe top heavy. Furthermore, the tap 16 may be continually observedthrough the slide '14, to assure that it is; not leaking or partlyopened. Of course, as the unit is transported or used it effectiveinsulation is provded all around the tank Over a prolonged paratus, theice 20 (FIGURE 2) melts gradually, producing water, it relieves the pad22 permitting by absorb the water. As a result, of this mutual coac tank18 and the produced water is efie'ctively entrapped in the pad 22. Theentrapment of the water avoids sloshing and permits the unit to beeasily carried and transported. a

Another feature attractive, clean and well-balanced traditionalappearance. Of course, various other features and advantages for thestructure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.Furthermore, illustrative embodiment will the scope hereof is not to belimited in accordance with the illustrative embodiment but rather shallbe inter-- preted in accordance with'the appended claims. What isclaimed is: 1'. A portable refrigeration containing sa'id fluid andhaving 7 drawing'fluid therefrom; an insulating container for a spigotmeans for for providing access to said spigot'means ofjsaid tank;and V Vr means forbiasing said solid coolant into engagement with said rigidtank.

2. A refrigeration unit as said insulating'container portiondefinin'gsaid cavity af-' fords ,a stand for supporting said integralunit whereby; to dispose said substantially cylindrical tank axiallyhori-'' zontal.

=3. A refrigeration unit according to'claim'2 wherein said insulatingcontainer primarily comprises opaque'cellular plastic and saiddisplaceable slide section comprises a transparent member. V

' 4. A structureraccording to claim 3 wherein said solid coolantcomprises ice and said means for biasing comprises a waterabsorbentmember.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS V 1,121,45612/1914 Becker 62-399 1,713,682 5/1929 Walter r 62-457 2,074,365 3/1937Clifford Q 62-394 H 2,713,779 7/1955 Fitzgibbons 62-457 2,959,938 ll/1960 Giardini 62-457, 3,198,390 8/1965 LLOYD L. KING, Primary Examiner.

tructure because the ice 20'- the pad to expand-and therethe ice 20 isbiased into continual contact with the P f thestructure hereof residesin its certain modifications from the also be apparentytherefore, I

unit for cooling fiuid with snugly containing said tank substantiallyenclosed and furthermore, defining a cavity contiguous to said tank forreceiving said solid coolant, and having a displ aceable slide section adefined by claim '1 wherein Beckman et al. 62-40 g

1. A PORTABLE REFRIGERATION UNIT FOR COOLING FLUID WITH A SOLID COOLANT,COMPRISING: A RIGID TANK OF SOMEWHAT CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION FORCONTAINING SAID FLUID AND HAVING A SPIGOT MEANS FOR DRAWING FLUIDTHEREFROM; AN INSULATING CONTAINER FOR SNUGLY CONTAINING SAID TANKSUBSTANTIALLY ENCLOSED AND FUTHERMORE, DEFINING A CAVITY CONTIGUOUS TOSAID TANK FOR RECEIVING SAID SOLID COOLANT, AND HAVING A DISPLACEABLESLIDE SECTION FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO SAID SPIGOT MEANS OF SAID TANK;AND MEANS FOR BIASING SAID SOLID COOLANT INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RIGIDTANK.